Diego Simeone says Jackson Martinez “will have a great game” if he is picked for Atletico Madrid’s trip to Eibar in La Liga on Saturday.
The Colombian has scored just one official goal and yet to complete 90 minutes for Los Colchoneros since making a €35m switch from Porto this summer, but the Coach believes his new No 11 will eventually come good.
“Our biggest source of enthusiasm comes from wearing the Atleti jersey, provided there’s an important stimulus. We hope to have a good match,” he said at a Press conference.
“This Eibar is different to last season’s. [Our last meeting at Ipurua] was strange as the pitch was bad, but we played well.
“This time around, we’ll be playing against an organised team, who like to hit their opponents on the break.
“They have some interesting players through the middle, with some new, but experienced, players. They’re a quick team, who will look to win the ball and attack.
“The team are growing in footballing terms. Jackson and [Luciano] Vietto will surely get better with each game, Gabi is fine. Oliver [Torres] too. Along with Fernando [Torres] we have plenty of competition [in attack].
“We have a team with different options this season, with many young players, who are breaking into the team.
“Of course it’s feasible to play Jackson and Torres together. One’s more positional, the other quicker.
“One’s left-footed, the other right-footed, so of course they can play with each other.
“You try to balance the needs of the players. So far, everyone bar [Miguel Angel] Moya, [Stefan] Savic, Lucas [Hernandez] and Thomas [Partey].
“I see a competitive squad, in which everyone feels important, but that can only be accomplished by giving them all minutes. The level of competition will make us better or worse.
“I ask of Jackson what he’s always done. If he happens to play [on Sunday], I’m sure he’ll have a great game.”
